Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-06-26
SUNDAY. JUNE 26. lSS'
The Debt-The People.

Alexandria Is immediately upon the
northern border Of Virginia, under the
shadow OF Washington, and yet 1t is city
whose people are genuine true-hearted Nir-
einiaus. How it happens that our friend
SNowpHN. Of the Gazette. sides with the
bondholders, we don't know. Certainly
no member OF the Legislature has shown
himself 10 be more thoroughly in accord
with the people on the debt question than
Mr.. Speaker STUART, Of that city. But
whatever may be the reason, the editor OF
the Gazette writes as follows:
ali the Democratic party in Virginia Is
TO retain Its hold upon the state govern
ment II Is Of prime necessity that 1t should
be united, aud to effect that end there must
be afull and fair expression OF Its will on the
debt question. There are many who think
that the proposition OF the foreign bond
holders should have been accepted; there
are many, perhaps, who think differently.
1t 10 to be presumed that few will risk
the danger Of throwing back the Com.
mouveaIth into the hands Of Malone
and hts mercenarIes for the sake OF
either accepting or rejecting the PROPOSE.
ment Is too great TO admit OF its loss for
any consideration, however important; and
we take 1t for granted that, however i'm.
practicable il may be, either wing OF the
psrty will acQuiesce in the final decision OF
the majority. But that decision must come
from the people, not from the politicians,
whose interest it seems 10 be TO keep the
debt question open. Let the people then
sneak. Let il be clearly understood whe.
ther candidates are in favor OF the accept.
ance OF the creditors proposition or not.
Then the matter can be settled in cOnven.
ton and we can go into the contest with
certainty Of success
II there ever was question a. to how
"the people" stood upon the debt ques.
ton, there is none As to how they stand
now. They are ahead OF the politicians"
But they are not likely to continue ahead
OF them long; for the "politicilns" will
almost certainly fall into line with the peo-
ple. We have no fears that the people will
fail TO make their influence felt in the State
convention. Our only apprehension in
this matter is that the politicians will
try 10 get "the people" Of that conyen-
ton to take the bit in their mouths and
run away-towards the precipice OF repu.
diation.
A distinguished Episcopal clergyman OF
this state now deceased once told his breth
rem Of certain secret order that they ought
TO change their burial service and not COM
mend deceased brethren "to the trIbu.
nal Of impartial justice; "ior tell you,
my brelhIep,'' said he. il We get impair.
tial Justice we shall all be eternally pun
ished." On the same principle, we advise
the Gazette 10 change its court Of appeals,
for If its readers are bOndholders and have
put up with what "the people" are dis.
posed to pay, they will be etenally pau
perized-at least. il the loss OF their bonds
would reduce them TO that undesirable
condition.
oh, no. "The people" are not on the
side OF the bondholders. They are, on the
contrary, in a state Of indignation. We
trust, nevertheless. that they will not send
delegates to Roanoke pledged to any policy
OF downright reputation. Let us Eearken
TO TO extremists.